Nectarine tree ‘Mesembrine’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  L. Batsch) named ‘Mesembrine’ is disclosed. The fruit of ‘Mesembrine’ is notable for its broad oblate shape and sub-acid flavor.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘Mesembrine’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows the tree and blossoms of ‘Mesembrine’;

FIG. 2 shows the blossoms of ‘Mesembrine’;

FIG. 3 shows the leaves of ‘Mesembrine’; and

FIG. 4 shows the fruit of ‘Mesembrine’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The new nectarine tree ‘Mesembrine’ originated as a seedling resultingfrom a controlled cross of ‘Jalousia’×‘Summergrand’ (seed parent, notpatented) and ‘Fantasia’ (pollen parent, not patented). Originally bredand tested by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)in France, ‘Mesembrine’ has been asexually propagated by grafting inFrance and in Parker, Wash., USA, and has been observed to remain trueto type over successive asexually propagated generations.

‘Mesembrine’ was selected for its broad oblate shape and pleasantsub-acid flavor. While similar in many respects to ‘S 6816’ (plantpatent pending), the fruit of ‘Mesembrine’ matures one to two weekslater. It has also been observed that the leaves of ‘Mesembrine’ arelonger than those of ‘S 6816.’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations offour year old trees made during the 2004 growing season at Parker, Wash.The test trees were grown on ‘Lovell’ (unpatented) rootstock. All colorsare described according to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.It should be understood that the characteristics described will varysomewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions andcan vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressedas an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plantsof the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or anygroup of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree:    -   -   Type.—Non-spur type.        -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Size.—Width 2.2 m; height 3.9 m.        -   Production.—Heavy.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Diameter 34.1 at base.        -   Bark.—Texture varies; color grey 201D on very rough bark;            greyed-purple 183A on rough bark; greyed-purple 184A on            smooth bark.        -   Lenticels.—Large, prominent, length 0.8 to 1.1 cm; 10 per            square inch; color orange-white 159A.-   Flowering branch:    -   -   Size.—Length 50.8 cm; diameter 1.6 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Length of internodes.—Medium, 2.2 to 2.5 cm.        -   Color.—Greyed-purple 184A.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.        -   Intensity of anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.-   Flowers:    -   -   Abundance of flower buds.—Medium.        -   Distribution of flower buds.—Generally in groups of two or            more.        -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Bud burst March 18; bloom            period March 21 to Apr. 6, 2005.        -   Buds.—Length 0.8 to 0.9 cm; elongated with rounded tip;            color red-purple 59A, tip red-purple 63B; hardy.        -   Flower shape.—Rosaceous.        -   Fragrance.—Fragrant, not sweet.        -   Flower size.—Diameter 3.6 to 3.9 cm.        -   Calyx color (open flower before falling of petals).—Orange.        -   Petals.—Quantity 5; overlapping; large, length 1.5 to 1.6            cm, width 1.4 to 1.5 cm; margins ruffled; petal texture            smooth; color upper surface red-purple 62D, lower surface            red-purple 61D.        -   Number of pistils.—Always one.        -   Position of stigma compared to anthers.—Below.        -   Stamen length compared to petals.—Shorter.        -   Anthers.—Size 0.05 cm; color greyed-red 180A; pollen            present, yellow 1A.        -   Pubescence of ovary.—Absent.        -   Stamen.—Quantity 36; length 1.0 to 1.2 cm; color red-purple            62D.        -   Filament.—Size 0.9 to 1.1 cm.        -   Pistil.—Size 1.0 to 1.2 cm; color yellow 1A.        -   Sepals.—Length 0.5 to 0.6 cm; width 0.3 to 0.4; color            red-purple 59A.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.-   Leaves:    -   -   Time of leaf bud burst.—Medium.        -   Size.—Medium, length 13.0 cm, width 4.0 cm.        -   Ratio length/width.—Medium.        -   Profile.—Flat.        -   Curvature of tip.—Recurved downward.        -   Angle at base.—Nearly right angle.        -   Angle at top.—Medium.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.        -   Color.—Yellow-green 146A with yellow-green 146D spots.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Medium, 1.5 cm.        -   Nectaries.—Present.        -   Shape of nectaries.—Kidney-shaped.        -   Number of nectaries.—Normally two.-   Fruit:    -   -   Size.—Small, diameter 7.0 cm; height 4.0 cm.        -   Shape in profile view.—Broad oblate.        -   Shape of tip.—Bowl shaped depressed.        -   Symmetry when cut along suture.—Symmetric.        -   Suture.—Marked.        -   Depth of petiole cavity.—1.5 cm.        -   Width of petiole cavity.—2.5 cm.        -   Color of skin.—Ground color orange-red 34B; over color            red-purple 59A.        -   Extension of anthocyanin coloration of skin.—Very large.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Lenticels.—Absent.        -   Thickness of skin.—Medium.        -   Adherence of skin.—Medium.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Very firm.        -   Anthocyanin coloration directly under skin.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin coloration around the stone.—Present.        -   Texture of the flesh.—Not fibrous, fine, melting.        -   Sugar content of flesh.—High, Brix 13.5.        -   Color of flesh.—Yellow 16C; color near seed yellow N30A.        -   Flavor.—Sub-acid, skin slightly tart.-   Stone:    -   -   Size compared to fruit.—Small, diameter 2.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Flat; ridged; pitted.        -   Color.—Red-purple 59B.        -   Likelihood of stone to split.—Absent or very weak.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Yes.        -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Medium.-   Maturity:    -   -   Bearing.—Annual.        -   Time of maturity.—Early (Aug. 4, 2004 at Parker, Wash.).        -   Duration.—Multiple pickings.        -   Preharvest drop.—Absent or minimal.        -   Time of falling of leaves.—Medium.        -   Resistance to pests and diseases.—None noted.

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree, named Mesemabrine, substantiallyas shown and described herein.